Region 9 COVID-19 Positivity Rate Drops

MCHENRY AND LAKE COUNTIES, IL — McHenry County saw a huge spike in its coronavirus rate in recent weeks, peaking on Nov. 12 when 21.7 percent of county residents tested positive for the virus. But now, there has now been seven days where the positivity rate has dropped, according to the latest public health data.

Currently, the positivity rate in the county is 17.8 percent.

Meanwhile, Tier 3 mitigations are in place across the state. Region 9, which includes Lake and McHenry counties, could see a loosening of restrictions if the region can sustain three days with a test positivity below 12 percent and if intensive care bed unit and medical/surgical bed availability remains above 20 percent for three consecutive days, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

In addition, the region will need to see a decline in the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals for seven of the last 10 days.

Here is where Region 9 stands as of Monday:

• Positivity rate: 13.9 percent; 0 days below IDPH's requirement of 12 percent or lower for three consecutive days to loosen restrictions
• Medical/surgical bed capacity: 21.2 percent; medical and surgical bed capacity in the region has seen one day over the 20 percent threshold. On Thursday, medical/surgical bed availability dipped under 20 percent for the first time ever when 19 percent of the region's beds were available.
• ICU bed availability: 29.2 percent; ICU bed availability has not yet dipped below 20 percent and is currently within IDPH guidelines.
• Number of patients in hospitals: The number of patients in Lake and McHenry County hospitals with COVID-like illnesses has steadily been increasing for the past month. On Nov. 17, the region saw it's highest ever number of patients, 370, in hospitals for the virus. Since then, that number has been dropping. According to the latest public health data there has been three days of decreases in new patient admissions. Five out of the past 10 days has seen increases in new patients.

Check back to Crystal Lake-Cary Patch and Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Patch for the latest news on COVID-19 in McHenry County. Sign up for the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Patch and Crystal Lake-Cary Patch newsletters and breaking news alerts. And follow us on the Crystal Lake-Cary and Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Patch Facebook pages.

For all regions, additional mitigation measures took effect Friday. Here is a look at guidance for the following settings and industries under Tier 3 mitigations:

• Retail: Operate at no more than 25 percent capacity. Encourage delivery or curbside pick-up options whenever possible.
• Personal care services: Operate at lesser of 25 clients or 25 percent capacity. Suspend services where a face covering can't be worn (facials, beard trims).
• Health and fitness centers: No indoor group classes. Operate at no more than 25 percent capacity. Locker room areas should be closed.
• Hotels: Limited to registered guests only. Fitness centers closed or operating on a reservation model. Event and meeting spaces closed.
• Manufacturing: Stagger and space shifts. Only manufacturing staff and key personnel allowed in facilities. Non-production employees must work remotely.
• Bars and restaurants: No indoor service. All bar and restaurant patrons should be seated at tables outside.
• Meetings and social events: Limit in-home gatherings to household members. No party buses. Meeting rooms, banquet centers, private party rooms, private clubs and country clubs may not host gatherings.
• Offices: All employees who can work remotely should work remotely.
• Organized group recreational activities: Pause all indoor group sports and recreational activities (youth and adults). Outdoor sports and recreation is allowed.
• Indoor recreation, theater, cultural institutions: Gaming and casinos close. Theaters, performing arts centers, indoor museums and amusement centers close. Outdoor group activities limited to 10 people or less, guests must wear face coverings at all times.

Grocery stores across the state will remain open with 25 percent capacity, according to the mitigations. Child care facilities may continue to operate subject to guidelines from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

School districts and officials should continue to follow the extensive guidance released by the Illinois State Board of Education in August to make decisions related to in-person and remote learning at the local level.

To prevent the further spread of COVID-19, Illinois residents are urged to stay home as much as possible and celebrate upcoming holidays with members of their household. Illinoisans over the age of two years are required to wear a face covering when out in public and social distancing is not easily achievable.

What Are The Rules Under Tier 2?

Here is a look at rules in place for specific industries:

Bars

• All bars close at 11pm and may reopen no earlier than 6am the following day
• No indoor service
• All bar patrons should be seated at tables outside
• No ordering, seating, or congregating at bar (bar stools should be removed)
• Tables should be 6 feet apart
• No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting
• No dancing or standing indoors
• Reservations required for each party
• No seating of multiple parties at one table
• No tables exceeding 6 people

• All restaurants close at 11pm and may reopen no earlier than 6am the following day
• No indoor dining or bar service
• Tables should be 6 feet apart
• No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting
• Reservations required for each party
• No seating of multiple parties at one table
• No tables exceeding 6 people

Meetings, social events and gathering, including weddings, funerals, potlucks, etc.

• Limit to 10 guests in both indoor and outdoor settings
• Applicable to professional, cultural and social group gatherings
• Not applicable to students participating in-person classroom learning, sports or polling places
• This does not reduce the overall facility capacity dictated by general business guidance such as office, retail, etc.
• No party buses
• Gaming and Casinos close at 11:00pm, are limited to 25 percent capacity, and follow mitigations for bars and restaurants, if applicable

Organized group recreational activities, including sports but excluding fitness centers

• Limit to lesser of 25 guests or 25% of overall room capacity both indoors & outdoors
• Groups limited to 10 or fewer people
• All Sports Guidance effective August 15, 2020, remains in effect
• Outdoor Activities (not included in the above exposure settings) continue per current DCEO guidance